My name is Payson.
I was born on Birka, one of the Sky Islands. Since childhood, I was destined to become the next God.
My daily life revolved around receiving the adoration of others—and beating the forsaken ones, those abandoned by God.
But good times never last.
My father died.
Too soon.
Too suddenly.
Birka was invaded by the people of the Blue Sea.
Those wretched Blue Sea people had no wings.
They were sinful outcasts.
I refused to accept this fate.
I led a rebellion.
But...
The forsaken ones had gained the power of the gods.
As I watched one after another turn into charred corpses under a storm of lightning, fear gripped my heart.
To survive, I traded away my family's ancestral blueprints.
It turned out to be the right choice.
Not only did I survive, but now...
The great new god, Donquixote Doflamingo, has summoned me.
I must prove my loyalty to him.
...
Payson walked into the grand hall, anxiety gnawing at his insides.
The moment he stepped in, his eyes were drawn to the fiery red figure seated on the massive throne at the center.
Their gazes met briefly.
Just one glance.
And Payson was instantly reminded of his father's lifeless body, dragged across the ground.
All the carefully rehearsed pleasantries vanished from his mind.
His thoughts went blank.
Cold sweat poured down his back, soaking the fresh set of clothes he'd just changed into.
Lowering his head, he placed his right hand over his chest and stammered out his words.
"Y-Your orders... God! Please entrust me with whatever task you desire."
"No need to be nervous. It's good news." Doflamingo's tone was laced with amusement. "There is a stunning queen who is very eager to obtain the bloodline of a Sky Islander. I plan to send you to her."
"R-Really?" Payson could hardly believe his ears. Could he finally have his chance to rise?
"Really. But you need some training first."
Doflamingo's lips curled into a smirk as he eyed Payson's frail physique.
A peerless beauty? That part was true.
At this moment, Charlotte Linlin was only forty-three years old.
Her prime had not yet passed.
Back in my past life, there would've been plenty willing to take the plunge...
...
Doflamingo handed Payson over to Machvise, instructing him to toughen the boy up.
Then, he retrieved a Den Den Mushi from his coat and contacted Judge.
"Moshi moshi. Boss, what do you need?"
"How many of the Birka rebels in the lab haven't been experimented on yet?"
"There are ten left."
"How many of them are male?"
"Six."
Six, huh? Including Payson, that makes seven.
Queen Charlotte Linlin and her Seven Dwarfs?
The thought made Doflamingo chuckle.
"Fufufufu... Tell Diamante to return to Sky Island and bring them to Sabaody."
"Understood, Boss."
As for why he was adding more to the 'gift list'...
Well, Payson was just too scrawny.
If he were built like Urouge, he might barely satisfy Big Mom.
But no matter.
If quality isn't enough, quantity will do.
...
World Economy News Agency
Reclining on a genuine seagull-feather sofa, Morgans scribbled furiously at his desk, brimming with inspiration.
Meanwhile, Doflamingo examined a freshly printed photo in his hands.
It had just been transmitted, still warm from the machine.
A brand-new masterpiece.
The image depicted Gol D. Roger and his crew emerging from an unknown route.
A sinister smile spread across Doflamingo's face as he turned to Morgans.
Time to stir the pot.
"Fufufufu... A route that hasn't been conquered in 800 years—claimed at last. A new Pirate King has emerged, Morgans.
How about we make the world a little livelier?
Spread the news that the so-called Pirate King is terminally ill.
Let's see who dares to challenge a dying king."
"No, no, no!" Morgans shook his beaked head in defiance. "Doflamingo, these are two separate big scoops! I'm reporting them separately!
Don't try to interfere beyond our partnership."
"What if Roger disappears?"
"Impossible! Even the most lowly thug understands the instinct to return home in glory."
"Are you sure? Think about your last assumption."
Morgans fell silent.
Suddenly, he wasn't so sure anymore.
But he wasn't about to back down without a fight.
"Morgans, you'll regret this."
"I am the News King, Doflamingo!"
...
The Next Day
"Shockwave! Gol D. Roger Conquers the Grand Line, Reaches the Final Island—A New Pirate King is Born!"
Newspapers carrying this headline soared across the world, delivered by seagulls departing from the Sabaody Archipelago.
The world erupted in frenzy.
Countless discussions ensued.
Water 7
"Hahahahaha! That's Roger for you! What a man!"
Tom roared with laughter as he read the paper.
"Wait! Tom-san, isn't this the guy who visited you a few months ago? He's already the Pirate King?!"
Standing nearby, Franky was visibly shaken. Those guys had even invited him aboard.
"Hahaha! Roger and his crew have been sailing for decades. They're true, bona fide pirates!"
Mock Town
"Hahaha! So the Pirate King once drank with me?!"
...
But the excitement was short-lived.
Soon after, a new headline sent the world into chaos once more.
"Endless Sorrow! Gol D. Roger is Terminally Ill and Near Death!"
The report even included records of Roger Pirates purchasing medical supplies, as proof.
Back in Sabaody, Rayleigh, fresh from disbanding the crew, stared at the newspaper in disbelief.
Were journalists now better at gathering intel than the Navy?
Meanwhile, pirates across the New World were whipped into a frenzy, like rabid dogs catching the scent of blood.
"Oooooh! Boys, find Roger! I, Bronze-Hand Ginz, will be the real Pirate King!"
"It's true! The short-lived Roger isn't worthy of the throne! The One Piece is mine!!"
...
Golden Lion's Fleet
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Roger! This news is a lie!!!"
Shiki's eyes widened in fury, the rooster-shaped crest on his head trembling violently.
Blood trickled down his forehead.
"Indigo-sama! Shiki-sama is bleeding again!!!!"
...
Totto Land - Cake Island
"Mamamama! So, the thief Roger is finally going to die."
Big Mom tossed the newspaper aside with a laugh.
Amande and Ashu, who had returned empty-handed, breathed a sigh of relief—only for their hearts to seize up at her next words.
"Amande, Ashu, you failed?"
"Yes, Mama."
They answered honestly. Those who lied ended up as mochi.
"Then show me this recording."
...
The Five Elders, after reviewing the reports and CP photos of Roger's disbanded crew, finally allowed themselves to relax.
A dying Roger was much less of a threat.
"As for Doflamingo's trade request..."
"Too much. His influence must be contained."
"Offer three Ancient Zoans, three Paramecias, and a low-tier Logia. If he refuses, abandon the deal."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
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+145 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg